Carpenter&#39;s gauge



Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,993

J. W. VLAZNY CARPENTERS GAUGE Filed Nov. 9, 192:5

Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES aosErH w. vLAzNY, or wm'r'rma, cALnroa'NI'A.

CABPENTEBS GAUGE. Y

applausi@ med Ravenne: 9, 192s. serial 1ro. eraser.

This invention relates to carpenters gauges and has for its object to provide an improved lead-holder. l

Another object is to provide a lead-holder by which may lbeutilized leads frompen-l c1l stubs and particularly leads of square cross-section such as are commonly used by carpenters.

Another `object is to Vprovide a combined adjustable gauge and compass.

lAnother object is to provide a pencilclamping means that may e readily applied to auge bars of standard form and at sma l expense and without materially changin'g the construction of the auge bar.

Another object is to provi e a lead-clamp .of such construction and design that the lead can be advanced readily as its point is worn, and further` an object is to (provide for the ready sharpening of the lea as the Ipoint is worn. 1

Other objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective ofthe improved gauge as applied.

Fig. 2 is a perspective showing the adaptation of the gauge as a compass.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the inverted gauge.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation and sectional view. v B Fig. '5 is a cross-section on lines 5--5 of Fig. 6 is a perspective of shell forming a part of the device.

Fi 7 is a perspective of a blank of which the s ell is formed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective ofthe `movable clamp-jaw of the device.

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the stationary J Fig. 10 is a perspective of the end-strap.

Thefpresent invention consists broadly of means adapted to be combined with the scribing end of a conventional form of carpenters gauge bar 2, which is adapted to be frictionallylocked in the gau e block 3, as by a clamp screw 4, bearing own on a shoe 5, provided in the block cavity through a piece of pencil lead L,` which is here shown as of s uare cross-section.

The pencilolding means, as shown, includes a follower or. clam device includlng an effective grippin lower may conveniently e made of a piece of 'str1-p metal bentv to a enerally oblon form to be guided longitu 'nally in a she or box 7 which is adapted to be inserted in a slot 2 formed in the scribing end of the bar 2. One end ofthe follower or clamp member is provided with a projecting part 6 and thls 1s engageable by a spring 9 supported in the shell as b a bolster 10.

The clamp 6 preferab y inclines upwardly .and rearwardly so as to hold the lead inan inclined position longitudinally as to the axis of thebar 2 and in such position that vthe effective or scribing end of the lead may lie in the end -plane 2b of the bar. The bolster is supported within the shell 7 and this shell is conveniently formed of a blank 7 of thin flagL material which is adapted to be folded along its top and bottom edges,

'as clearly shown in Fig. 6, and it is also transversely folded to form a transverse end wall 7b. This shell is adapted to' be sunk in the end-slot 2 with the top and bottom .edges ofthe shell substantially flush with the top and bottom surfaces of the bar 2. The shell is provided with notches in its top and bottom flanges to form an upper opening 7c and a lower front end o emng 7d for the reception of the lead disposed within the shell. At its forward end is an abutment memberv12 having an inclined wallparallel to the clamping face 6 of the follower, so that the encil lead is firmly but adjustably grippe between the follower and the abutment.

A reenforcing strap 13 of substantially U- shaped form is laid around the scribing end of the bar and is fastened by a rivet or pin 14 which also passes through the closed shell 7 and secures these parts in place. Another rivet 15 passes through the gauge bar 2 at the other end of the shell 7 also holding the shell in position.

Since the lead L projects obliquely through the bar in such a location as to intersect the end plane 2b of the b ar, it will be seen that by sufficiently projecting the lead as in Fig. 4, that the lead can bereadily sharpened by resting the end 2b of the bar upon a suitable support and by reciprocating the bar on ace 6. This fol-l l its end face, the projected end of the lead L will thus be s arpeiied to the desired point.. After this a slight pressure on the lead iii a longitudinal direction thereof will push the lead to a desired degree, as is shown iii Figs. l and 2, to enable the same to be a pplicd.

A further feature of the, invention consists ot' providing means enabling the use o1' an automatic carpenters gauge of the type shown` as a compass. To that end, there is shown as attached to the gauge block a center or compass-point C. This point is shown as mounted in a cross-strip 15 attached to one end-face of the sliding block 3. This cross strip is also illustrated as having a guide plate 16 projecting forwardly from the strip 15 and being applicable to the corner of a board, plank or other piece of material M, being marked. The plate 16 is shown as being slotted at 16*l to provide clearance for the lead L when the gauge bar 2 is retracted to a position close up to the block 3; this latter being notched at 3 to clear the lead. When the bar 2 is retracted, the lead L will be protected when lying in the apertures 16a and 3a.

From the above it will be seen that the device is of simple character and can be readily installed or manufactured in standard carpenters gauges and enables the utilization of the stubs of square lead pencils as generally used by carpenters. It will further be seen that the invention provides for the conversion of a gauge into an implenient for drawing circles up to the limit of adjustment of the bar in the block.

Further embodiments, modifications and variations may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

What is. claimed is:

1. A carpenters gauge comprising a bar having a slot on one end, means for yieldingly clamping a section of pencil lead upon the bar including a box-like shell disposed Within the slot in the bar, means providing :in abutment in one end of the shell, a follower disposed within the shell and opposed to the abutment, and spring means for urging the followertoward said abutment whereby the pencil lead may be clamped therebetween.

2. A carpenters gauge comprising a bar having a slot on one end, means for yieldingly clampinfiv a section of pencil lead upon the bar inclufing a box-like shell disposed within the slot in the bar, means providing an abutment in one end of the shell, a follower disposed within the shell and opposed t0 the abutment, and spring means for urging the follower toward said abutment whereby the pencil lead may be clamped therebetween, the effective clamping faces of the abutment and follower being parallel and oblique to the axis of the bar, so that the projected lead will intersect tlie plane of the adjacent end of the bar.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication.

JOSEPH W. VLAZNY. 

